So bleacher report has released its latest mock draft. Overall I think they tend to default to "need" vs "BPA" which isn't really how teams draft, but they do paint a logical scenario.
They have the Giants taking Brandon Scherff, OT Iowa. A very popular pick lately and endorsed by many on BBI. I do think Scherff will be a solid pro, but I really don't see the Giants using pick #9 on an OT, whose best position is likely OG. I think the OL will be the priority in FA.
What is interesting is they have Amari Cooper going at #8 to the Falcons. Cooper has been "sliding" in recent weeks, not because of any real issues with Cooper, but because the strength at the top of the draft appears to be 3-4 OLB, DT, and of course the two top QBs. This paints a scenario of Cooper possibly going in later half of the top 10 when he is a top 5 talent. If Cooper lasts all the way to #8, I would be very surprised to see the Falcons take him given that they literally have zero playmakers on defense. Cooper is certainly a talented enough WR to make any team ignore a glaring need, but if anyone watched the Falcons this year, they couldn't stop a pop warner offense.
Under the B/R mock, I don't really see the Falcons taking Cooper as they suggest, leaving open the possibility of Cooper being there at #9. If he is, Reese will pounce. I know, WR seems to be the least of the Giants "needs" but our situation at the position isn't as good as you'd think. OBJ is the only proven/dependable commodity at this point. Cruz has to prove he is healthy. And Randle has to show more consistency. Everyone else is just a guy.
Also, considering that the Giants new offense is modeled on Green Bay, take a look at their top 4 WRs.
Nelson
Cobb
Devonte Adams
Jartett Boykin
I would argue that the Giants offense needs a similar set of 4 WRs to truly ignite the passing game. Imagine a top 4 of:
OBJ
Cruz
Cooper
Randle
If the Giants use FA to address the OL issues by brining in a OT and OG, then they can go BPA a pick 9. WR--and more broadly pass catchers--has become the premium position (after QB) in today's NFL. Everyone points to Dallas and how they constructed that OL, but caution, it's going to bite them. Over the next 3-5 years (starting now) Dallas is going to have a hard time affording their OL, QB, RB, and WR, not to mention anyone worth keeping on defense. Having already invested money/premium picks in Beatty, Richburgh, Schwartz, and Pugh, I don't want to see the Giants do the same when their only real hole to fill is LG. You can find a veteran LG that can play without breaking the bank.
I said in a previous post that even if Cooper isn't there, I would still entertain the idea of taking DeVonte Parker, WR Louisville, who is a monster after the catch. B/R has him going at #`12 to the Vikings. I also think his stock will continue to rise.
I have included the link for those interested. Also, check out the last slide. Does anyone know anything about LB Hau'oli Kikaha, from Washington? Described as a guy who plays multiple LB positions.
2015 NFL Mock Draft: Senior Bowl Week Projections - (
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I firmly believe Reese will take the best player on his draft board regardless of position. He always does!
A guy like Iupati will be a free agent. The Giants could conceivably go after someone like that who you know can play to bolster the offensive line. Schwartz will be back and they could put the kid they drafted this past year at center where he belongs. John Mara and Jerry Reese both said that's where he will play. And I don't doubt they can get a good quality offensive lineman in the second round also.
I really think free agency is strongly going to shape how they draft. The money is there to sign JPP and at the very least acquire another impact player to add to the defense or the offense.
Emil, agree completely NYG won't go OL at #9 unless they project the prospect to LT (or RT with the plan of the prospect replacing Beatty soon enough).
If neither of the above scenarios is a positive proposition and they have a highly rated guy at 9 who can play LT there is a strong chance that's the move .
If you believe Cooper is not really a Top 5 talent (I think he absolutely is) then you can get comparable WR talent in round 2. It is very likely someone like Jalen Strong (WR ASU) slips to early round 2 and that guy is a beast. Players like Sammy Coates (who I don't trust to translate to the next level) and Green-Beckham could also slip. Green-Beckham almost certainly. Not to mention a slot WR and KR like Tyler Lockett could be available as late as round 3.
CBS sports - Kevin White WR WVU - ( New Window )
If neither of the above scenarios is a positive proposition and they have a highly rated guy at 9 who can play LT there is a strong chance that's the move .
I agree that it could come down to that, but I am just not in love with these OTs at the top end of the draft. IMO there is little difference between the guys projected to go in the first and the guys projected to go in the 2nd. I would love the Giants to land a blue goose LT, but I just don't see one yet. The recent Scherff buzz almost makes me laugh because it seems as though a player like Scherff--a very good college OT who projects to RT or OG in the pros--always gets tied to the Giants. Just sounds like Bryan Bulaga all over again to me, and I don't think he has lived up to his 1st round draft status yet.
I am intrigued by some of the OT prospects, Andrus Pete, Ereck Flowers, La'el Collins, just to name a few. But I just don't like any of them at #9. I haven't shut the door on it (like my vote counts right) as the Giants need more beef on the OL, but I have yet to hear a convincing case for one of the OT at #9.
Buying a FA TE or WR that is very good, will be very expensive. I'd buy the best Oline guy and go BPA with that pick.
It could a be a WR or someone they think will be a playmaker on defense.
Pete's overall athleticism intrigues me a great deal. I heard some knock his toughness, comparing him unfavorably to Jonathan Martin, another former Stanford OT. We'll have to see what all the pre-draft analysis brings. But if he can shake the toughness rap, I could see him at #9.
Jon, that is a good point. I really enjoyed that game too. Really enjoy your posts/comments, very reasoned. I better be careful, between you and coach I might get converted to a draft Andrus Pete stance.
In the end, it will be interesting to see how many LTs and WRs are worthy at #9, as it does appear there could be more options for NYG at those positions relative to their other usual premium positions.
1. Eddie Lacy was the third leading receiver on the team
2. Jarrett Boykin caught 3 passes all year.
Corey Washington caught 5 passes.
1. Eddie Lacy was the third leading receiver on the team
2. Jarrett Boykin caught 3 passes all year.
Corey Washington caught 5 passes.
Can't argue with that. But I think my overall point is that after our top 3, with Cruz and Randle as legit question marks, the cupboard is potentially dangerously bare at WR for the NYG.
What does stand out though is the drop-off from #1 to #2.
Nelson and Cobb both caught 90+ passes.
Randle was 2nd on the Giants with 70.
if Cruz can return close to what he was he should solve that.
I think they Giants can go WR or not, doesn't matter to me, just not sure the GB personnel is a compelling reason why they need 4 WR's.
What does stand out though is the drop-off from #1 to #2.
Nelson and Cobb both caught 90+ passes.
Randle was 2nd on the Giants with 70.
if Cruz can return close to what he was he should solve that.
I think they Giants can go WR or not, doesn't matter to me, just not sure the GB personnel is a compelling reason why they need 4 WR's.
Fair point, the numbers certainly support it. I do think GB is certainly trying to develop depth behind the top 2 and those young guys have potential. I love Victor Cruz, have from day 1 when he wore #3. But I am not sold that he can comeback 100%. I think the Giants need to pave the way for an option where Cruz can realistically be the #3 option. If I'm the Giants GM, I the thought of relying on Randle to be #2 keeps me up at night. Not saying he can't do it, but it is by no means a sure thing. Would rather be safe than sorry. Now that may not mean you go WR at #9, but one needs to be added in the top 3 rounds.
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I am intrigued by some of the OT prospects, Andrus Pete, Ereck Flowers, La'el Collins, just to name a few. But I just don't like any of them at #9. I haven't shut the door on it (like my vote counts right) as the Giants need more beef on the OL, but I have yet to hear a convincing case for one of the OT at #9.
It's still early and one of these guys could really solidify themselves as a top prospect for LT post-combine. BPA at 40 might end up being a WR or Maxx.
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I am intrigued by some of the OT prospects, Andrus Pete, Ereck Flowers, La'el Collins, just to name a few. But I just don't like any of them at #9. I haven't shut the door on it (like my vote counts right) as the Giants need more beef on the OL, but I have yet to hear a convincing case for one of the OT at #9.
It's still early and one of these guys could really solidify themselves as a top prospect for LT post-combine. BPA at 40 might end up being a WR or Maxx.
Coach I hope so. Would be nice if one of these guys emerges and the Giants could match BPA with a true need. Would be nice. Either way, I do think we'll see a WR in the first three rounds.
Coach, I think that would be fine so long as one of the OT prospects emerges. I have the highest hope for Pete, but many more knowledgeable than I are high on Collins. I do know this:
The Giants won't spend pick #9 on a guy who is exclusively a RT and a possible OG
Pick #9 will be a difference maker
If pick #9 is an OT, he will be LT with the ability to play other positions.
If pick #9 is a LT, he will have to play RT for at least a year, as cutting Beatty in 2015 makes little sense.
The more I watch of him I think it's just that he's so freaking smooth that he doesn't appear to be moving as fast as he is. I know it's college but check out how he turns the corner on some of his runs and simply blows by defenders who take the wrong angle because they underestimate his speed.
I'm really curious to see how he times and as long as it's not really slow (4.6 or worse) I'm taking him at #9. He's like Beckham in that he runs perfect routes and just gets open. He catches everything around him too. Maybe he's not quite as explosive as Beckham (is anyone?) but I think he's destined to have a great career.
He's a no-brainer pick for me at this point.
Cooper Highlights - ( New Window )
Same with Pugh, and I think he's been talked about recently because a change is coming, e.g kicking him inside to LG.
He runs horrendous routes. They're sloppy and he's rarely wide open. He usually has to make a play in the air against a DB or they give him the ball on a screen or quick slant. I just don't see the refined skills to get open in the NFL and think he's got huge bust potential, off-field issues aside.
The more I watch of him I think it's just that he's so freaking smooth that he doesn't appear to be moving as fast as he is. I know it's college but check out how he turns the corner on some of his runs and simply blows by defenders who take the wrong angle because they underestimate his speed.
I'm really curious to see how he times and as long as it's not really slow (4.6 or worse) I'm taking him at #9. He's like Beckham in that he runs perfect routes and just gets open. He catches everything around him too. Maybe he's not quite as explosive as Beckham (is anyone?) but I think he's destined to have a great career.
He's a no-brainer pick for me at this point. Cooper Highlights - ( New Window )
Oh, I hope I didn't misspeak somewhere. I never said Cooper wasn't explosive. Some don't think he is, but I agree with you. He is so smooth and effortless that he doesn't look it. Plax never looked explosive either, but he made everything look easy. Cooper is simply a different kind of WR. I'm all for him a #9 if he is there.
Could be a controversial statement, but if Green-Beckham is there in the 2nd, I would seriously consider taking him. Provided I didn't get a WR in round 1.
Between the growing list of guys at WR/TE -Dorial Green-Beckham-,Rashad Green,Sammie Coates,Ty Montgomery, Lockett, Jalean Strong, Maxx Williams one of these guys will be available at 40 (while an LT would not).
Another FA OL to watch is Clint Boling from the Bengals.
If the Giants could sign one of these 3 it would go a long way to fixing the team.
I'm not a big fan of "polish" when they talk about a WR prospect. I want an explosive player with great hands. And it's also nice to have length.
For me, Cooper has both average size and movement for an NFL starting WR. I really don't like him and think other WRs will be drafted ahead of him.
Before the draft, I'm really hoping to see them sign a FA G at a good value.
As far as WR at #9? I'm all for it but not Cooper.
Don't love Cooper at #9 either. I keep reading about WR options at that pick but I don't see them as proper value at this point in time.
I am not down on Pugh though as some are. I don't see his rookie year as a fluke and think he was playing a bit hurt last year. I think he'll end up like a young Diehl, can play anywhere on the line except C and LT in a pinch but not ideal.
Dane Brugler @dpbrugler 3m3 minutes ago
Tony Boselli spending a good amount of time coaching up Lael Collins 1-on-1. Great example why competing at @seniorbowl worth it for players
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